Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing HYCM vs EasyMarkets for Australia traders in 2025, both brokers offer ASIC-regulated trading environments tailored to local needs. HYCM, with a score of 3.6/5, is a well-established broker providing advanced platforms like MT4 and MT5, competitive variable spreads, and deep liquidity for experienced traders. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, focuses on simplicity with its proprietary web platform and fixed spreads, making it attractive for traders who prefer cost certainty. For Australian traders, both accept AUD accounts and local payment methods including BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, ensuring seamless deposits and withdrawals. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns better with your trading style, whether you prioritise low costs and advanced tools or a straightforward, beginner-friendly experience.
| Instrument | HYCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $20 | $25 | HYCM |
For Australia traders, trading costs are a key differentiator between HYCM and EasyMarkets. HYCM offers variable spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Raw account (plus a $7 per lot commission), which is highly competitive for high-volume traders. On standard accounts, spreads average 1.2 pips on EUR/USD. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads that typically range from 1.5 pips on major pairs, providing cost predictability but higher average costs. For Australian scalpers or day traders executing large volumes, HYCM’s lower spreads can significantly reduce overall expenses. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads protect against widening during volatile news events, which some traders may value.
| Account Type | HYCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $20 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | HYCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | HYCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | HYCM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | HYCM |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | HYCM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | HYCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
HYCM provides Australia traders with the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, offering advanced charting, custom indicators, and automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). This suits experienced traders who need robust analytical tools. EasyMarkets, in contrast, offers a proprietary web-based platform and a mobile app with a clean, user-friendly interface. While it lacks MT4/MT5, it includes unique risk management tools like dealCancellation and free guaranteed stop-loss orders, which appeal to traders wanting simplicity and extra protection. For Australian traders who rely on EAs or complex strategies, HYCM is the better choice.
| Factor | HYCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | HYCM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
HYCM provides fast execution speeds with no requotes on its ECN accounts, ideal for Australian scalpers and high-frequency traders. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders, which can result in slightly slower execution due to manual intervention. For traders prioritising speed and transparency, HYCM’s execution is superior. However, EasyMarkets’ guaranteed stops protect against slippage, which some risk-averse Australian traders may prefer.
| Safety Factor | HYCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both HYCM and EasyMarkets are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), providing strong investor protection for Australia traders. ASIC enforces strict client money segregation, leverage limits (maximum 30:1 for retail clients), and negative balance protection. HYCM also holds licenses from the FCA and CySEC, adding an extra layer of oversight, while EasyMarkets is regulated by ASIC and CySEC. For Australian residents, the ASIC license ensures your funds are held in separate trust accounts and that the broker must comply with local financial laws. This gives both brokers a high level of trustworthiness for local traders.
| Payment Method | HYCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | E-Wallets (Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney): 1 hour to 1 business day.Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 3 to 5 business days (after broker processing).Bank Wire Transfers: 3 to 7 business days depending on your bank and location. | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) |
Both HYCM and EasyMarkets make it easy for Australia traders to fund accounts using local payment methods. HYCM accepts BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard) with no deposit fees and a minimum deposit of $100 AUD for bank transfers. EasyMarkets also supports BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, with a lower minimum deposit of $25 AUD via credit card. Withdrawals are processed quickly—HYCM typically within 1-2 business days, while EasyMarkets aims for same-day processing. Both brokers do not charge withdrawal fees, but your bank may impose charges. Having multiple local options like BPAY and POLi ensures convenient and cost-effective transactions for Australian traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | HYCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Australian Muslim traders can access Islamic (swap-free) accounts at both HYCM and EasyMarkets. HYCM offers Islamic accounts on request for all account types, ensuring no overnight interest is charged or earned on positions held beyond the trading day. EasyMarkets also provides swap-free accounts upon request, with the same Sharia-compliant features. It’s important to note that Islamic accounts may have restrictions on holding positions for extended periods—typically 10-30 days depending on the broker. Both brokers require clients to contact support to activate the feature. For Australian traders seeking ethical trading aligned with Islamic principles, both options are viable, but HYCM’s broader account options may offer more flexibility.
| Support Feature | HYCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | HYCM |
HYCM offers Australia traders 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Australian phone line for local queries. EasyMarkets also provides 24/5 support through live chat and email, but phone support is limited to international numbers. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources. For Australian traders needing quick, local-language assistance, HYCM’s Australian-based support team is a slight advantage, though EasyMarkets’ response times are generally fast.
| Mobile Feature | HYCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | HYCM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | HYCM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | HYCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | HYCM |
Choose HYCM if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For experienced Australia traders, HYCM is the stronger choice overall, offering lower spreads, advanced platforms, and faster execution—key factors for active trading. Its ASIC regulation, plus additional FCA oversight, provides robust protection. EasyMarkets is a solid alternative for those who value simplicity, fixed costs, and innovative risk management tools. Both brokers support local payments like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, making deposits and withdrawals hassle-free. If you prioritise cost efficiency and trading flexibility, go with HYCM. If you prefer a straightforward, beginner-friendly experience with guaranteed protections, EasyMarkets may be a better fit. Ultimately, your choice should align with your trading style and experience level.